The UK’s largest rail exhibition runs from May 12 to May 14

Published: 8th May 2015

National Exhibition Centre stage for Railtex 2015

Railtex is the eagerly awaited trade show for the rail industry and this year is being held at the National Exhibition Centre (Halls 3 and 3A) adjacent to Birmingham International on May 12/13/14 opening at 10am each day.

It is billed as the UK's leading rail event covering railway equipment, systems and services and has traditionally lived up to this hyperbole. It is also a great place to network and maybe catch up with former colleagues. It also provides a great opportunity to get a job in the rail industry.

The show has a range of influential guest speakers each day. Talks and presentations are held in several areas such as ‘The Knowledge Hub’ and the main stage. The 2015 event has on Tuesday 12 May, a speech by Richard Price, Chief Executive at the Office of Rail and Road Regulation. His office monitors Network Rail and High Speed 1 ensuring the rail industry is competitive and fair. It also regulates the industry's health and safety performance.

Wednesday 13 May brings Jeremy Long, the European CEO of MTR Corporation to the lecturn. He works in the joint venture with Deutsche Bahn in the highly successful London Overground operating franchise for Transport for London. MTR will be operating Crossrail services for the first eight years starting this month from Liverpool Street.

Where can I find knowledge?

Many speakers will be presenting in the main hall within the ‘Knowledge Hub’ whereas open discussions will be held on ‘The Platform’. Both locations will host project updates from the major investment schemes around today on the railways.

They said:

Exhibition Manager Heidi Cotsworth said: “We are delighted that Richard Price and Jeremy Long will be speaking at Railtex, and we know that people at the show will be very keen to hear their presentations. Opportunities to learn more about the direction the industry is taking from its leading figures form an important part of this event and we know they are greatly appreciated by visitors and exhibitors.

Hitachi to showcase new train

Hitachi Rail Europe has announced that it is to launch interior concepts for a British bullet train on their stand J11 which will bring in the crowds. The concept on display will showcase its headline vision for the future of high speed rail in the UK taken from its experience so far gained in the UK rail market. Hitachi says that “Design influences have been extended beyond rail to also examine the automotive and aeronautical industries, creating a balance between comfort, speed, efficiency and aesthetics”.

The results will be launched as a global exclusive to the rail industry at Railtex through the use of 3D imaging and a fully immersive virtual reality walk-through.

Other train manufacturers Bombardier and Siemens will also be at the event so don’t forget to see what they have to offer.

Jobs, Jobs and more jobs

The Hitachi stand will also give details of the Class 800/801 train now being tested on the Old Dalby track near Melton Mowbray. Perhaps more importantly for those looking to join the railways, Hitachi will be looking to recruit visitors to the show. Potential recruits could be tempted by the signalling and CBTC systems on display using interactive simulators.

Hitachi Rail Europe representatives from the ScotRail/Abellio project team will also be present to discuss the Hitachi AT200 train which will be introduced in two years’ time.

In general, Railtex…………

Showcases every aspect of the rail industry from rolling stock, to infrastructure, from passenger information services to air fresheners. The stands show the present and future on the rail industry offering a unique insight into the rail business. Over 160 product categories will be on display covering:

Rolling Stock

Track and Infrastructure

Signalling and communications

Electrification

Fare collection and passenger information

IT systems

Security systems

Consultancy and training

Keynote Speakers galore!

May 12 Efficiency through innovation: Bringing new techniques and technology to the railway delivered by Richard Parry-Jones, Chairman Network Rail.

Niall Simmons, Head of Bids Engineering for Bombardier Transportation UK will talk about the Train of the Future: Improving Reliability through Train Zero. This is followed by Dirk Seckler, Head of Sales for Knorr-Bremse Rail Services talking about next generation Condition Based Maintenance.

Wednesday 13th May brings Terence Watson, Co-Chairman of Rail Supply Group to the stage talking about Fast Track for growth strengthening capability and competiveness of the UK Rail Supply Industry. A full house will be guaranteed for Keith Jordan, Managing Director Hitachi Rail Europe talking about His companies approach to the rail industry.

Thursday 14th May brings the South Western Railway CEO to the stage when Tim Shoveller talks about the benefits of a deep alliance looking at the collaboration between Stagecoach Southwest Trains and Network Rail.

This is followed by a look at the future of signalling by Siemen’s William Wilson and a look at the Valley Lines and South Wales electrification projects by Professor Stuart Cole Emeritus Professor of Transport Wales Transport Research Centre, University of South Wales.

Projects

There will be updates on HS2, Thameslink and the national electrification schemes as well as a host of other smaller but important schemes over the three day event which is free to attend so long as you pre-register.

It promises to be a very good show!

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